A/N: Hey, it's Sera with your weekly dose of Guilty Rose!

This is going to be another important chapter plotwise, because I decided to do some major character development. Plus the end scene is another fight I've benn planning from almost the beginning.

I got some updates at the end if anyone is interested.

Please enjoy!

I don't own RT or RWBY, just a copy of RWBY: Grimm Eclipse.

Guilty Rose Chapter 13

Team CMEN was lounging in their dorm after a longer than usual day of classes. They didn't know what possessed Goodwitch, Oobleck, and Port, but they wished it would have been exorcised before the three gave their classes tests on the same damn day. So, there the teens were, doing what they did when their brains were utterly fried. Mercury was in the middle of calibrations on his legs. Emerald was reading a book she had borrowed from Blake, a book that needed a fake cover. Neo was on her scroll looking up something. Cinder was currently holding the gift she planned on giving Rose when she finally worked up the nerve.

"She's gonna go blind if she keeps staring at it."

"What does that even mean?"

"What? Your parents never- shit, sorry."

Emerald glared at Mercury for his gross inconsideration of her past before sighing.

"Just try to make less of an ass of yourself when you finish answering-"

A screen was suddenly thrust in front of her face by their newest member, who decided the cookie recipes weren't panning out at the moment.

He's making a tasteless masturbation joke.

"And how would you know?"

Neo blushed slightly, which intrigued the other two.

ANYWAY, what is she looking at?

"Apparently, some gift she got for Rose, but won't give her."

"Kinda sad actually."

Emerald groaned, now that she actually met the girl, she was conflicted. Rose acted like a terrified little girl. She was really expected to believe that was the infamous Guilty Rose that Cinder was so enamored with. But then she saw the girl in combat class, she took down every opponent or opponents unarmed.

A slight shiver of fear shot through her body imagining the girl actually using a weapon.

A small part of Emerald realized she no longer had any chance at getting Cinder's heart.

"Yeah."

Mercury and Neo glanced at each other, not sure what was going on inside the girl's head.

"Are you three finished or do I need to go somewhere I can't actually hear you."

Emerald looked over sullenly.

"We're done for tonight."

"Goo-"

As soon as Cinder spoke, her scroll rang. She put down the box and retrieved the device, only for her heart to sink.

It was Salem.

All at once, Cinder realized she was several days late on her report in to Salem and that she hadn't made much progress in her missions.

These thoughts however, did hardly anything to delay her answering the call.

"Yes, Mistress."

"You are late on your report."

There was a cold fury seeping through the scroll, all directed at her. What Cinder wouldn't do to just hang up right that instant.

"I apologize, I-"

"I do not wish to hear your excuses. Just give me your report. Have you found your target? Have you found the fall maiden?"

Cinder took a shaky breath, she could already feel Salem's hands around her neck.

"I have found her."

"Really? Then why did you not contact me immediately? Or better yet, why have you not dealt with her yet?"

"There are complications due to how Ozpin is protecting her."

"This better not have something to do with your side objective."

"Thankfully, no, Rose is not involved."

"Then what is the complication?"

"She is a professor here at Beacon, Professor Greene to be exact. And to further complicate things she shares a teacher's dorm with Beacon's deputy headmistress."

"Oh, that is quite the complication. How is your progress with the Guilty Rose?"

Cinder's chest tightened. Recruiting Rose was her primary reason for coming here, but there was really no progress that would keep Salem at bay. Then she remembered the first meeting and the question the little faunus asked. And how she reacted to Cinder's answer.

"I have good news there, well somewhat good news. She knows, or I should say, remembers that I work for you."

"What."

"She remembers when the day Hazel and I tried to recruit the Oni Tribe. However, she hasn't told anyone about us."

"How can you know this for sure?"

"We haven't been arrested nor confronted by anyone. Also, she told me herself that she was okay with me."

"Please let this be it!"

"I see, that is 'somewhat good news'. Though there is something that disturbs me, I have no physical description of the girl. Hazel can't remember what she looks like and Tyrian decided not to ask. Thus it falls to you to give me a complete description."

Cinder's heart felt like it had stopped. Cinder knew that all of Salem's underlings had orders to bring anyone with silver eyes to her so she could deal with them. She had hoped beyond hope tat she could have made Rose her underling and hide the faunus under Salem's nose for her own safety. But now she realized that was no longer an option.

Now, she was going to have to pick her words with the greatest of care, because each one could seal hers and Rose's fate.

"She seems to be fifteen."

"Really? I was under the impression that her career started nearly seven years."

"That is correct, mistress. She was already accomplished by the time I met her."

"I see, continue describing her."

"She's a faunus, wolf I believe. Her hair is nearly black with red tips."

"A wolf faunus with dark hair and red tips..."

The recognition in Salem's voice made Cinder realize she had already made a mistake.

"What color eyes does she have?"

"Gray."

"Are you sure that they're just gray? Are you sure they are not silver?"

Cinder bit her lip. She was taking a massive risk, but Rose was worth it.

"Mistress, would I not have immediately mentioned it if she had silver eyes?"

"I will concede that point."

Cinder sighed, maybe she had bought herself more time.

"Now for an additional assignment Cinder, infiltrate Vale's CCT tower and implant a virus as soon as possible."

Cinder's breathing stopped momentarily.

"Now she wants me to infiltrate the CCT?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Good. Now, don't be late reporting in again."

The call ended, and Cinder couldn't help but curl into the fetal position.

….

"Mistress, I'm getting concerned about Cinder's loyalty."

Salem groaned internally, only showing slight annoyance with her underling. If only this wasn't a conversation they had nearly every few weeks, she'd take him completely serious.

"What brought this on, this time."

"She failed, and you just let her rush our plans?"

"We've discussed this, she did not fail with the fall maiden. Now, give me legitimate proof of this supposed disloyalty, or never speak of this again."

"Her obsession with this Rose girl."

"Cinder is trying to recruit the girl, thus I feel I can ignore her infatuation."

"But she lied for the girl. She lied to you for this girl."

"I am keenly aware. However, Cinder has yet to fail me. We'll keep an eye on her."

….

Team RWBY's dorm was quiet as it usually was this time in the morning. Rose had waken up from one of her usual dreams and was still trying to shake the sleep from her body before beginning her morning routine.

She had still yet to ask her team if they'd like to join her. The exercises weren't too difficult, or at least she thought they weren't considering she used to do them threefold.

"It's been three weeks, and they have seemed interested in them."

She sat there debating on whether or not to wake up her teammates and ask when Weiss made a noise that almost sounded like a disappointed.

"I guess she woke up from a really good dream."

Weiss sat up and her eyes looked immediately at the faunus. Starry blue met shimmering silver. Weiss' eyes seemed to soften when this happened and Rose felt that small warmth in her chest again. She promptly ignored the feeling.

Before Rose could compose herself completely, Weiss spoke in a quiet voice.

"Is everything alright Rose, I've never seen you 'sit in bed' before?"

Rose couldn't help but feel a twinge that Weiss was still concerned about her. The faunus sucked in a deep breathe.

"I was just wondering if the rest of you and the rest of the team wanted to join me in my morning routine?"

That was not what the heiress was expecting to hear. However, it made complete sense that something so trivial was bothering the girl. It was always the trivial matters that made Rose spend far too much time overthinking.

It seriously took the little faunus a full minute to ask for the cookies specifically designated for her after Summer Rose visited.

Speaking of Missus Rose's visits, they were going to have to think of an excuse for this afternoon.

"Weiss?"

Rose's small voice brought Weiss out of her thoughts and she remembered the matter at hand.

Rose's morning routine.

A faint blush graced the heiress' features as it always did when the white haired girl remembered it, and by extension, Rose's completely unclothed form. A form she enjoyed seeing every morning.

"I'm not opposed to joining you, but...um...does me being dressed matter?"

Rose cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"If you think your clothes are too restrictive, just take them off."

At that response, a wild blush grew on Weiss' face, a small 'eep' emanated from Blake's bed, and a groan sounded from Yang's.

"If you two are going to get to it, do it quietly."

"YANG!"

"But my morning routine is always quiet, I'd hate it if I woke any of you up too early because I made a noise."

Weiss, for once, was thankful that Rose was so dense and innocent in romantic matters.

"To answer your question from, I wouldn't mind joining you, but you'll need to go a little easy on me as I don't have you flexibility."

"Okay, well, I'm ready when you are then."

The heiress suddenly had the sense that she was going to regret accepting the offer, but ignored it.

….

The day had gone as it normally would for team RWBY. Though Weiss seemed to wince every now and then when she moved her right shoulder. She had lost her balance while doing push ups and landed on her shoulder awkwardly.

However things were taking a turn no one quite expected as the combat class board displayed the first spar of the day.

Rose VS Pyrrha Nikos

The air became alight with anticipation as the names sank in. Everyone knew the fight would be unforgettable, and the excited mummers further proved this as the combatants descended to the arena.

Pyrrha was in her normal combat attire with her Milo and Akouo in tow. Her walk beguiled her prowess with humility as it always did.

Rose was also in her normal combat attire, though she wasn't wearing Guilty Rose or her kikko sleeves. She hadn't worn them since her first fight with Cardin, because she didn't want to risk hurting anyone with her blood-soaked weapon.

No, she couldn't trust herself not to hurt anyone if she had it.

Finally, the two reached the arena and faced each other. Though rather than get into battle stance Pyrrha motioned for Professor Goodwitch to delay starting the match.

Pyrrha had already measured up her opponent as best she could. She knew Rose's unarmed fighting was quite possibly unrivaled in all of Beacon, but she couldn't help but worry about facing her armed.

"Rose, I know you have no qualms facing armed opponents while unarmed, but I'm not exactly comfortable facing you with Milo and Akouo here."

Rose grew a small fond smile and shook her head.

"You really don't have to worry about that."

"Rose, It's unfair to fight you armed while you are not."

"It's also unfair to force you to fight me unarmed when I am the trained unarmed fighter."

Pyrrha bit her lip a Rose's argument.

No normal huntsman nor huntress could fight at their best while unarmed unless they specifically trained to. And unfortunately, Pyrrha had only ever received basic unarmed self-defense training.

Pyrrha let out a long sigh. She reluctantly accepted the terms of the match, trusting that Rose knew what she as doing.

"Please be careful Rose."

"You too, Pyrrha."

"Are both of you ready to begin, or would you like more time?"

Glynda knew she was being uncharacteristically relaxed, but she couldn't help it. Not when Rose was involved.

"Yes, ma'am."

The professor also commiserated with the spartan. It bothered her to no end when Rose fought unarmed, even if she knew her fears were unfounded.

Composing herself, the woman raised her hand in the air to signal the two combatants take their stances.

Ruby took her normal boxing stance, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Pyrrha prepared her shield and javelin in a more defensive stance, ready for the inevitable and brutal onslaught that Rose would deliver against her.

"BEGIN."

The command to fight was given and Rose closed the distance between her and Pyrrha before the spartan realized the faunus had moved. With her right hand she pushed Pyrrha's shield aside and with the other she delivered two semblance powered body blows that would have driven the breathe out of a lesser opponent. Pyrrha used the impact of the second punch to jump and put several meter's distance between her and Rose.

The opening trade off between the fighters left everyone else stunned. Pyrrha, the invincible girl, had been struck and forced to retreat.

As the rose petals floated gently to the ground, Rose felt a warm wetness on her palm and a few crimson drops fell to the ground. Instinctively, the faunus looked to the match's official to confirm the fight was to be stopped as first blood had been drawn.

That was almost always how the Oni handled their spars. Fight until first blood was drawn or until one could not continue fighting.

When Hannya showed no signs of reacting to Rose's bleeding, she knew this would be a bitter fight until she or Pyrrha could no longer fight at all, no matter what injuries either sustained. And thus she steeled herself.

"I can't underestimate her again."

Pyrrha chided herself as she recovered her stance. She didn't think Rose would just grab her shield like that even though she had seen the faunus do something similar against Cardin.

With a quick breath, the spartan took the initiative and charged. Pyrrha feigned a shield bash that the faunus sidestepped for. Then she followed her feint with a downward slash with Akouo, believing it would be dodged. Much to her shock, Rose parried the blade with her bare palm and countered with a powerful left hook to Pyrrha's jaw.

The devastating blow sent Pyrrha reeling, but Rose refused to let up despite the stinging she felt from where she parried. She closed the distance and changed her attack pattern. She ripped Milo to the left and let loose a triplet of body blows. Pyrrha's aura easily absorbed the impact and dropped accordingly.

Pyrrha lashed out with her shield, which was blocked with Rose's forearm. The spartan then stabbed with her javelin. Again it was parried rather than evaded. The faunus slammed the back of her left fist into Pyrrha's cheek as a counter. Pyrrha countered by hitting the offending arm with the edge of Milo.

The hit became less solid as Rose spun with the impact and brought the same fist to the spartan's other cheek. Pyrrha responded by switching Akouo to xiphos form and went into one of her well-practiced combos.

Rose parried the first cut with her right arm before jumping just out of reach of Pyrrha's sword. The spartan adapted quickly and went for a lunge. The faunus responded by grabbing her wrist and pulling, forcing her opponent to overextend. Pyrrha, however, prepared her shield for any incoming strikes. Rose saw this and released her.

The combatants split apart, letting the petals fall as they caught their breaths. Pyrrha felt some warm liquid run down her cheek and wiped it with her sword hand assuming it was sweat. When she set herself back into her stance, she noticed her hand was glistening with clear sweat like it was supposed to be. Instead it was streaked with bright red.

"Blood?"

Pyrrha's eyes shot wide as she looked at the arena in front of her. Sure enough, crimson petals were mixed in with blood splatter. The spartan's head shot up to regard her opponent and she couldn't help but gasp. Rose's arms and hands had been cut open by Milo and Akouo. Long lacerations that revealed the flesh underneath. Though the faunus' face and stance did nothing to reflect acknowledgment of her grievous wounds.

"STOP THE FIGHT!"

Pyrrha's panicked scream broke the spell that the match had on everyone, and they all realized the true scene before them.

"OH MY OUM, ROSE!"

The rest of team RWBY, as well as Cinder and Neo, summoned every ounce of speed they had to get to Rose's side while Professor Goodwitch alerted the infirmary her need of medical attention..

Shaken by the sudden screams and now confused by why she was surrounded by everyone, Rose stood there trying to understand the situation.

"This was just an intense spar, why are they so worried?"

The pain from her arms finally came to the forefront of her mind. Rose hissed at the pain and activated her aura to slow the bleeding. Though before she could put much effort in, she was swept off her feet by Yang.

"Goodwitch, I'm taking her to the infirmary!"

"Go! they're already waiting for her."

A/N: And there we have it!

Yeah, I know, cliffhangers suck, but I thought it would be better to leave the aftermath of Rose VS Pyrrha to the next chapter.

Also, the first person to point out the two puns I wrote into this chapter gets a long distance high-five

So updates:

First the poll about the rating of this story. It's still there and it's still open. I have learned though that you need to visit Fanfiction on the desktop site to see it and vote.

Second, I've got a new RWBY romance/hurt&comfort/smut story in the works that I'd like to release soon(in the next few weeks). It's coming along slowly, pun not intended. I'll give more details to those interested, and welcome anyone who is willing to help.

Well, that covers everything I can think of right now.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Please follow, fav, and review!